Animal Defenders International (ADI) is asking the public to participate in its Week of Action Against Circus Suffering from July 21st – 25th, 2014

Animal Defenders International (ADI) is asking the public to participate in its Week of Action Against Circus Suffering from July 21st – 25th, 2014.

ADI is encouraging groups and individuals across the US to flood Congress with calls and emails urging their Representatives to support and co-sponsor H.R. 4525, the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (TEAPA), a landmark federal bill introduced by Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) that aims to protect elephants, tigers, bears and other wild animals from being forced to perform in traveling circuses by prohibiting their use.

ADI President, Jan Creamer, said: “Due to the very nature of the traveling circus, wild animals live their whole lives chained or tied up, or in small cages that fit on the back of a truck. Violence to control animals is part of circus culture; animals are beaten, whipped and electric shocked to make them perform tricks. This brutality has no place in modern society. Please help these magnificent animals by urging your Congressional Representatives to co-sponsor the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act.”

TEAPA aims to end the use of exotic and wild animals in traveling circuses, due to the unavoidable suffering caused by the very nature of the traveling show: small, mobile and temporary facilities, restriction of movement, barren environments and long, arduous journeys.

The restricted facilities, and the nature of the acts the animals are forced to perform, also increases the amount of handling and control required of wild animals leading to the physical abuse that has been caught on film in circuses around the world, including in the United States.

The Bill would see the United States join almost 30 diverse countries that have already passed similar legislation including Austria, Belgium, Greece, India, Bolivia, Colombia and Panama. Others, including Great Britain, Brazil and Mexico, are currently considering legislation – with the British Prime Minister recently promising that a ban would be passed in the next 12 months.

Members of the public can find out more and take part in the Week of Action Against Circus Suffering by visiting http://www.stopcircussuffering.com/news/usa/week-action-circus-suffering and on Twitter using #TEAPA #HR4525